laniriveira

We decided to stay at the Holiday Inn on Howe street (the drop off for Quick Shuttle). The room was reasonably priced and in a good location near food, stores etc. Plus it wasn’t far from Canada Place to board the ship. Overall the room was clean, the beds were comfortable but the hotel is currently renovating and the way they built it was a little weird. I mean you go in then have to take one elevator to level two then walk across the pool to take another to the rooms.

Alaska Review on the Carnival Spirit

This will be my first review here on Cruise Critic and I hope that everyone reading enjoys it. A little background ... there was 6 of us on this cruise which included myself, DH, DS (5), DD (2.5), my Dad and my Mom. This was mine and DH’s third cruise (all on Carnival), DS and DD’s 2nd and my parents first.

Our first cruise was back in October 2011. We went on the Carnival Paradise to Baja Mexico which was a four day cruise. At that time my husband knew he wanted to cruise to Alaska (thanks to his buddy at work who came off one that September and raved about how beautiful it is and how everyone must attempt to visit once in their lifetime). So we booked the four day as a test cruise to see how we and our children liked it. Of course, we loved it!! So after that cruise DH decided it would be an awesome present to take my parents with us for their 20th anniversary. How sweet is he??

So once my parents agreed easily we were off to count down the days to our Alaskan Cruise on the Carnival Spirit!

Alaskan Cruise

Carnival Spirit

May 1, 2012 - May 8, 2012

Departed Vancouver, British Columbia & ended in Seattle, WA

Ports of call:

Juneau, AK

Skagway, AK

Ketchikan, AK

and Glacier Bay

Day 1 - Long Beach, CA to Seattle, WA

DS, DD and I before we left for the airport

DH, DS and DD ... DD is a Leo and has a temper like her mommy lol

We decided to fly out of Long Beach into Seattle roundtrip on Jet Blue. It was cheaper and at the time we thought would be easier on the kids. We left on Monday April 30th and flew from LB to Sea-Tac. Our flight was delayed over an hour due to technical problems. We didn’t know if we would make our shuttle on time but with luck on our side we did. I initally booked a rental car and last minute decided to cancel it and booked with Quick Shuttle under the impression that I would be easily pushed thru the border. Also, I was saving a little over $200 by switching. Well I wish I didn’t switch. First off, Quick Shuttle’s bathroom on board the motorcoach that picked us up was disgusting! There was this smell that came from the toilet not being maintained or cleaned. Secondly, the ride from Sea-Tac Airport to Downtown Vancouver (which they drop you off at the Holiday Inn on Howe St) took over 7 HOURS!!!!! We had two pick ups once we left Sea-Tac and once we came to the boarder, all the passengers on board had to get off and go into a building to go thru Customs. At first we were told that all passengers had to get off the shuttle and take all luggage inside to go thru Customs but then the driver came on and said he worked a miracle and we could leave our luggage on and just take our carry on’s we had inside the coach. So with that and the 3 drop offs after the boarder we ended up at a little over 7 hours for our trip from Sea Tac to Downtown Vancouver.

All things being equal I would go with May over September.

 

As mentioned you will have more daylight to enjoy the views of Alaska whether in port, docked or at sea and there is less chance for rain.

 

Keith

Your right! Were planning for the May 1st sailing. Just waiting till we come bk frm our 4 day cruise to book it:D

You choosing to sale these dates because of the price or because the time is right?

 

IMHO don't sell yourself short and go because you save a few hundred dollars/person. You can and likely will get rain anytime but there is a reason May and Sept are cheaper.

 

Decades ago we took the last sailing. In all three ports weather was dreadful, leaving skagway had the worst storm I can remember. That last lobster dinner wasn't eaten, YMMV

 

On the bright side we had a spectacular day in college fjord and glacier bay as you can tell by my profile and signature pictures :D

Were going to cruise because of time. DS will start kindergarten in Sept 2012 and I really don't want him to miss any school, I'd rather him miss Pre-k in May instead. But I was also trying to take into account weather. Thanks for the feedback!

Were looking at a cruise either departing May 1st or Sept 11th 2012. Can anyone help me with the differences (if any) between those two months. More less rain (i know you can't really predict), snow capped mountains, windy etc. The price is higher in Sept so does that mean its better weather? Any help is appreciated!!